Car-coupling.



no. 656,926. Patented Aug. 28 1900.

c. BICKMEIER.

CAR COUPLING.

. (Application filed Oct. 5, 1899.) {No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

wivtuaoc/ea v M2266 flaw, I M

Patented Aug. 28, I900.

C. BICKMEIER.

CAR COUPLING.

(Application filed Oct. 5, 1899.)

(No Modal.) 2 Sheets$heet 2.

Urvrrsn CHARLES BICKMEIER, OF BELLAIRE, OHIO.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 656,926, dated August 28, 1900.

Application filed October 5. 1899. $erial No. 732,639. (No model.)

lb all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, CHARLES BIOKMEIER,

of Bellaire, in the county of Belmont, State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Oar-Couplers, of which the following is a complete specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. a

The object of my invention is to produce improvements in car-couplers of the knuckle type, whereby coupling under all conditions is facilitated and danger ofaccideht from breakage of the draw-head is obviated.

In theaccompanying drawings, FigureI is a top plan View of one of my coupling mem- 5 bers. Fig. II is a horizontal longitudinal section of the same. Fig. III is a central vertical section of the same, some of the parts being in elevation. Fig. IV is a perspective view of a knuckle detached. Fig. V is a perspective view of the knuckle-retaining member detached.

Referring to the numerals on the drawings, 1 indicates the draw-bar, and 2 the head thereof,which composes one member of my coupler. The head is provided upon one side witha jaw 3 and upon the other with a jaw 4., to which is pivoted a knuckle 5, 6 being the pin by which the knuckle is pivoted to the jaw 4.

The elements above enumerated constitute a well-known type of coupler, with respect to which my invention constitutes an improvement.

The jaw t (compare Figs. II and III) is provided.with a suitable recess 8, within which sweeps a segmental wing 9, this segment being of such an extent as to span the arc of its movement. The segmental wing is provided as a support and automatic dropping device for the knuckle-retaining member 10. That member maybe described as a pin, which shape it assumes in its terminal portion 11, (see Fig. V,) that is provided with a wing 12. The member 10is carried in a suitable vertical recess provided for it in the head 2, and when in place its wing 12 either rides upon the segment 9 or dropping in front of it retains it in the coupling position. (See Fig. II.) The wing 12 is provided with a recess 13, which fits within a rabbet 14 in the segment 9. The purpose of the engaging recess 13 and rabbet 14. is to exert sufficient friction between the parts to prevent accidental discorner of the segment 9. The engagement of the recesses 15 and 16 permitsafslightlygreater openingofthe knuckle thanis desirable. underordinary conditions, but which af- "fords means for coupling two members when the cars to which they belong are on a curve.

When coupled upon a curve and the cars swing into the straight line, the knuckle-re tainingmemberlOdropsintoits lowermost 'po sition and retains the segment 9 in its fullyretired position, as shown in Fig. II. The office of the recesses 15 and 16 is therefore temporary and intended only to permit occasional though important operation.

The knuckle-retaining member 10 is provided with a cap 18, from the outer edge of which depends a skirt 19. The skirt 19 fits snugly about a projection 20 on the head 2, and thereby serves not only to hold the member 10 firmly in position, but also to exclude dirt or ice and snow from the working parts of the coupler. The chain 21 is indicated as means for raising the member 10 whenever required.

The draw-bar 1 is in couplers of this type aweak portion and is frequently subjected in use to breakage immediately behind the head 2. When such breakage occurs, not only is accident liable to ensue from the dropping of the broken parts, but the coupling mechanism of the train becomes thereby disabled. features, I provide a longitudinal passage 22 through the draw-bar and head, and within that I employ an emergency-bar 23, which, extending behind the draw-bar, is provided, as between washers or buffers 2 1 and 25, with a coiled spring 26 and near its end within the head 2 with an aperture 27, through which a pin 28, working in apertures in the head 2, passes. The emergency-bar 23 may be made of wrought-iron or steel and rendered thereby unbreakable under ordinary conditions,while the pin connection between the emergencybar and the head, being made in advance of the draw-bar, a breakage of thedraw-bar will not disconnect the head from the car.

To obviate these two objectionable Through'the utilization of the buffers 24:

- and 25 against the usual timbers of a car the engage with a wedge-shaped recess 31 on that part of the wing 12 of the retaining member that is adjacent to the recesses 13 and 15. The engagement of the projection with the recess 31 is adapted to prevent rising of the member 10 while the coupler is in use.

WVhat I- claim isdraw-head, knuckle pivoted thereto, and segment on the knuckle, of a retaining member on the head, movable to and from the path of movement of the segment, corresponding recesses in the-sideof the retaining member and'e'dge of-the segment, respectively, whereby the knuckle may be securely withheld from opening before it is completely closed,

,, 1. In a car-coupler the combination with a' and an inclined projection upon the forward edge of the segment and a corresponding recess in the retaining member, said projection and recess cooperating to prevent the rising of the retaining member when the knuckle is completely closed, substantially as set forth.

2. Acar-coupler comprising a draw bar and head provided with a longitudinal passage through the same, of an emergency-bar working in the passage, and a coupling-pin in the head adapted to secure the emergency-bar thereto, substantially as set forth.

3. A car-coupler comprising a draw bar and head provided with a longitudinal passage through the same, of an emergency-bar working in the passage, and a coupling-pin in the head adapted to secure the emergency-bar thereto, said emergency-bar projecting in the rear of the draw-bar, and there provided with a coiled spring working between fixed limits thereon, substantially as set forth.

In testimony of all which I have hereunto subscribed my name.

CHARLES BiC-KMEIER.

lVitnesses:

J. H. ACKER,

GUST. ED. MARK. 

